Trailer: Fred Rogers Biopic "A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood"

Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers in 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood' (image via IMDB)

From a time when decency and empathy were still admired, check out the new trailer for the upcoming Fred Rogers biopic, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

Inspired by an article penned by Tom Junod for Esquire ("Can You Say...Hero?"), two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks portrays Fred Rogers (Mister Rogers' Neighborhood) in a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Rogers and Junod.

The official longline reads: "After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America’s most beloved neighbor."

Earlier this year, it came to light that Rogers referred to himself as sexually fluid.

According to Maxwell King’s 2018 biography of Rogers, The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, the TV host and puppeteer is quoted from a conversation with one of his friends, Dr. William Hirsch, regarding his own sexuality as saying, "Well, you know, I must be smack in the middle. Because I have found women attractive, and I have found men attractive."

In theaters November 22.

Documentary: 'The Last Mile' Explores Impact Of 1993's 'Philadelphia' On Stigma Of AIDS

In advance of this year’s World AIDS Day (December 1) and as a long-standing supporter of HIV/AIDS awareness and research, Coca-Cola is partnering with (RED) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking film, Philadelphia, with a new documentary titled, The Last Mile.

Inspired by the progress made in HIV/AIDS since the 1993 release of Philadelphia, The Last Mile features cast members Tom Hanks, Mary Steenburgen and Denzel Washington along with writer, Ron Nyswaner, discussing director Jonathan Demme’s sensitive vision for the film.

The illustrious group also discusses how the film changed perceptions about HIV/AIDS from fear to compassion, from stigma to empathy.

“It’s hard for people now to realize how intense that moment in time was,’ Steenburgen says in the newly-released trailer. “There was a tremendous amount of fear and a lack of knowledge.”

“I remember the different scarred faces – people with scars on their faces. I remember the sadness,” says Washington.

“Going in and out of New York City, you ended up seeing it all over the place ― men were pushing other men around in wheelchairs,” adds Hanks, who would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance of a Philadelphia lawyer diagnosed with AIDS.

Tom Hanks

The documentary short is produced by Coca-Cola as part of the beverage giant’s social initiative Project Last Mile, which works to improve availability of life-saving medications to more and more regions of Africa.

The film shares the work of dedicated healthcare workers in Africa who are changing the face of the AIDS epidemic.

“The strides, they’re extraordinary,” says Hanks of the work being done there. “But, there is still a massive amount of need for attention that something like the pandemic of AIDS is going to require.”

“We have come a long way,” adds Steenburgen. “I think it’s time to continue to be inspired.”

Health worker in Africa delivering HIV medications

In terms of progress, there are nearly 22 million people living with HIV who now have access to treatment. But in 2017, nearly 1 million people around the world died from AIDS - a disease that is both preventable and treatable.

The new documentary hopes to help empower those on the front lines of the epidemic by reinforcing continued awareness and support.

The Last Mile will be available on November 15 at red.org/cocacola.

Watch the trailer below.

New Music: Carly Rae Jepsen "I Really Like You"

Carly Rae Jespen - of "Call Me Maybe" fame - is back with her latest single "I Really Like You."

Who knew a song with 6 "reallys" in a row could be so contagious?

Or is it Carly Rae's easy to love music video co-star?

Check it out below.

Tom Hanks at Michael Clarke Duncan's funeral

Watch Tom Hanks tell the story of Michael Clarke joining (then unjoining) a gang in Chicago.

Is there anything more soulful than remembering, smiling and laughing with the memory of someone who has touched us?

Tom Hanks' son tweets shirtless pics - nice!

Actor Tom Hanks' son Chester, an aspiring rapper who goes by Chet Haze, was so sexy?

He tweeted two shirtless photos of himself on Sunday.

The first image was sent out with the message, “Ladies…This is for you, “ followed by the posting of the second image and the message, “Ok ladies one more ;).”

Though the images were initially intended for his female fans, several gay sites shared the photos, prompting Haze to post a follow-up comment. "Yo, Shout out to ALL my fans-- both straight and gay... #humbled but just so you know I'm straight lmao ok ThankYou."

A later tweet said this: "Anybody who harbors resentment for Gay/Lesbian people is not only ignorant but truly living in the past. It's all love-- get wit the program"

Hanks is in the process of booking a 15-venue tour.